BY ARUN JOSHI, EDITOR THE SCENES WORLD
An year ago, my daughter sent me a rare photograph showing last Nawab of Bhopal Hamidullah Khan with his wife and three daughters when they were on a London visit in 1932. It inspired me to narrate tales of Bhopal Regalia I grew up listening since my childhood studying in Obaidia and other schools. The most beautiful central Indian City Bhopal has been capital of erstwhile Bhopal Riasat. Bhopal as capital was founded by Parmar King Bhojpal creating two dams on the river Kalia Saut flowing through a valley between Two hills turning waters in upper huge lake and smaller lower lake. Bhopal city is known for scenic beauty dotted with hillocks and many lakes. Bhopal Riasat except a few male Nawabs was mostly ruled by women Nawabs. As Dasharn region under Maurya and Gupta empires it was later ruled by Rashtrkoots Pratihars Parmars Tomars and Malwa Sultans and Marathaas and finally it became a Gond rular state. Rani Kamlapati was last Gond rular who appointed an Afghan mercenary Dost Mohammad Khan to protect her territories from other Hindu Chieftains of neighbouring States. After Rani Kamlapati’s death Dost Mohammad Khan later founded Nawabee in Riasat. Mostly woman in succession were declared heir apparent and ascended as Nawab because sons were not there in the dynasty except a few like famous Nawab Nazar Mohammad Khan. Between 1819 and 1926, it was ruled by four women – Begums – unique in the royalty of those days. Qudsia Begum was the first woman ruler, who was succeeded by her only daughter Sikandar Begum, who in turn was succeeded by her only daughter, Shah Jahan Begum. Sultan Shah Jahan Begum was the last women ruler, who after 25 years of rule, abdicated in favour of her son, Hamidullah Khan. The rule of Begums gave the city its waterworks, railways, a postal system and a municipality constituted in 1907. Begham Shahjahan’s period was a golden period as she erected monuments like Bhopal Taj Mahal and Taj Ul Masaajid the largest Mosque in Asia.
Though post independence there was some reluctance by Bhopal Nawab for inclusion in the India Union but Riasat always remained a place with communal harmony. Nawab Hamidullah would whole heartedly participate in Hindu fastivals such as Holi Diwali and Navratrees. Begham Sultan Jahan was sending grants for Aligarh Muslim University. Muslim and Hindu students of Bhopal state for pursuing higher studies at Aligarh would get scholarships. One of the important aspect of communal Harmony was that Begham Sultans appointed Hindus as their Prime Ministers. Raja Awadh Narayan Bisariya was such a prime minister. His grand son Pushpendra Narayan was my school mate. Last male Nawab Hamidullah Khan had no son but three daughters. The eldest daughter was Begham Abida Sultan who migrated to Pakistan in around 1950. She served as Pakistani Ambassador in some countries. She penned a book “The Story Of A Rebel Princes”. Her son Shaharyar Khan was foreign secretary of Pakistan and PCCB. He too penned an authentic book Beghams of Bhopal. After Badi Bia Abida Sultan left Second daughter Sajida Sultan was declared heir apparent of state. She married Nawab Ifthikhar Khan of Pataudi Who played cricket for India and England. Her son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was led India’s cricket team for years. Sharmila Tagore married him and their son Saif Ali Khan is now heir. Third daughter Rabia Sultan lived and died away from pubic eye. Begham Sultan Jahan preferred youngest son Hamidullah Khan as heir and abdicated in her favour due to his modesty and humility. Eldest brother was known as Wali Miyan alias Wali Ehede Saltanat (Heir). He lived in Idgah palace. Old town Bhaironda was named after him as Nasrullah Ganj. Middle brother Obaidullah Khan was aggressive in nature hence was appointed as chief commander of Bhopal Paltan. He would live at Jahanuma Palace at Shamla hills which has been turned into a hotel now. Old town Hirania was named After him as Obaidullah Ganj. In his memory a prestigious Obaidullah Gold Cup Hockey tournament is played every year. This tournament gave many hockey Olympians to the country.
